This is the heart-wrenching moment earthquake-affected families pleaded for food and water in the Philippines.

Dramatic footage shows distressed residents holding placards asking for basic necessities in Cebu on October 2.

Moments later, they were seen lining up along the roadside as volunteers from a non-profit organisation distributed bottled water.

Philippine seismological agency PHIVOLCS said the magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu province at 9:59 pm local time, at a depth of 5 kilometres (3 miles).

Authorities reported at least 68 fatalities from an initial tally of 72, with around 559 injured.

PHIVOLCS seismology chief Dr Winchelle Ian Sevilla said: 'At least in the last 400 years, the fault that generated the earthquake there only moved again now. So it took a long time to move, that is why it was strong. This is based on our catalogue.'

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said: 'I am already in touch with national agencies and the Office of the President to ask for reinforcements.'

The province is a popular tourist destination and a major economic hub in the country's Visayas region.